M4 vs 997.2 vs 981

[Billy_Whizzzz]

A what car really... For about £40k I've been looking at these three and struggling to choose. If I had the 981, I'm worried about not having the 911. If I had the 911 I'd be a little worried about it being a slightly older car and as I've always had slightly older cars I know the reality of the winter wear and tear as the miles rack up... Hence also looking at an M4 - the problem being the depreciation as in a few years it will be just another old M3(4).

A Cayman definitely isn't an option (in case anyone suggests it) as I'd never buy a car without a sunroof and I just don't like the look of Caymans. So - real world experiences of the three please. I'll be using it as a daily driver in rain and shine. I live in a very rural place where the roads are terrible and always caked in mud for all of the year, but it would also be dealing with motorways and long cross country blasts. It would be replacing a Z4M (used in summer) and an e61 530i (winter) but I'd be keeping the 2014 Defender USW so not worried about practicality. It would definitely be manual.

Thoughts?

Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Saturday 9th January 19:41

[akirk]

all competent cars, so you will no doubt get a mixture of views from fans of each - which one makes you feel that you want to drive a few more miles / look back at the car as you walk away / grin as you get in behind the wheel?

[truck71]

A Boxster S won't be far off a 997 performance wise and would make an excellent and entertaining daily driver.
I'm sure an M4 would be a great motor but they sound odd and have way more performance than I'd ever need.

[ORD]

981 is very capable but a bit sterile. Less steering feel and less brake feel than a 997. But it is easier to drive fast and more confidence-inspiring.

Worth bearing in mind that either Porsche will be far better than the BMW in the wet and bad conditions generally.

[donkamio]

The M4 with sunroof is quite rare- shame to forgo the lovely carbon roof

[ZX10R NIN]

Another car worth considering as an alternative to an M3/4 is an Alpina B3 (take a look at the link) if you're keeping it for a while it'll be worth more than the M to & it's IMO the better car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=740gShZJF1M

Drive them all first I didn't get on with my M3 but everyone is different, of the two I'd be looking at the 981 but the other Porsche you've missed out is the Cayman R.

[Wills2]

I'd choose a manual 997.2 C2S for me ran one for 55k miles and have had 4 M cars so no axe to grind, driven the 981 as well, but the 997.2 is the real deal, runs rings round M cars for driving pleasure and will hold its money, mine went for 40k over 3 years ago and they are still fetching around that money.

Edited by Wills2 on Sunday 10th January 10:39

[stuno1]

Depends on your full criteria but when I looked at 997.2 cars I ended up in a Evora s sports racer.

[Zyp]

stuno1 said:

Depends on your full criteria but when I looked at 997.2 cars I ended up in a Evora s sports racer.

That's just weird - picking a Lotus over a Porsche.
Nowt so strange as folk....

[ORD]

Zyp said:

That's just weird - picking a Lotus over a Porsche.
Nowt so strange as folk....

Joking, presumably? I think a non-negligible minority of Porsche-lovers also have a lot of love for Lotus and do (or would) cross-shop.

[truck71]

ORD said:

Joking, presumably? I think a non-negligible minority of Porsche-lovers also have a lot of love for Lotus and do (or would) cross-shop.

Agree,top of my list when the time comes (although I'm a car enthusiast rather than a Porsche fan).

[stuno1]

Zyp said:

That's just weird - picking a Lotus over a Porsche.
Nowt so strange as folk....

[Zyp]

stuno1 said:

I was just getting it over and done with before anyone else

You only have to click on 'my garage'....

[stuno1]

Zyp said:

I was just getting it over and done with before anyone else

You only have to click on 'my garage'....

Oh ok I hope it doesn't turn to another of those threads. As always op, figures are not always the whole story, far from it in fact. Take all your options for a spin as each will and won't hit some criteria.

[stuckmojo]

997 all the way in my opinion.

[gizlaroc]

It has to be 997.

The Boxster is nice, but just nice imho.

The M Car is also nice, but more of an every day car that has a rawer edge than say the 440i that sits below it.

The 997 can still be used daily but still feels far more special.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Many thanks. Agree 911s do have 'something' - I've had a 996 before and regardless of the headlights, it always felt special - if not quite raw enough for me. Hopefully the 997.2 S would - but as most have said I need to drive them all. The only thing is that I do like a convertible - but I'd never buy a convertible 911 (or M3) which is why the new gen Boxster is an option. Currently, at beginning of a long drive home cross country in summer my Z4M Roadster always manages to feel special, even in heavy traffic... and with the 997 I'd miss the ability to roof in summer.

The Alpina someone suggested is nice - but a) I wouldn't ever have a 4 door saloon, and b) I think they're auto only and I'd never have any auto...

[crusty]

For me it would be an R8

The 911 costs loads to keep on the road, the M4 as you have already said, will depreciate.

[Magic919]

The 997.2 won't feel as raw as the 996. I had a 996 with M030 and felt very connected with the road. The 997.2 doesn't feel like that to me. That's not to say I'd go back to a 996, just a comment on feel.

[CABC]

confused.... convertible or not? posing or driving?
Boxster seems ideal, and ignore the inevitable comments.